COLUMBUS - The Republican Senate Campaign Committee announced today its official endorsement of State Representative Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) for Ohio’s 16th Senate District seat.

Senate President Keith Faber and Senator Dave Burke, chair of the eight-member campaign committee, said the endorsement followed weeks of internal analysis and discussion of the 2016 contest and its potential candidates.

“We’ve already done some initial voter research and found Stephanie to be the strongest candidate in both the primary and general elections,” said Burke. “Its important to our success that we begin executing on our game plan now instead of waiting until next March, when we’re only a few months from Election Day. Our team looks forward to supporting her candidacy and welcoming her as the newest member of the Senate majority.”

Faber added, “Stephanie is a diligent, highly regarded legislator with an impressive record of leadership in her community, and we believe she offers the best combination of experience and electability for this district. We were impressed by the overwhelming amount of support she received from state and local party leaders, job creators and residents of the district. She clearly has the backing of the people she would represent.”

Kunze announced her candidacy for the 16th Senate District on October 30. She is currently serving her second term in the Ohio House of Representatives, where she represents the 24th district, including portions of western and southwestern Franklin County.